Micheál Donoghue: 'When you're trying to play that way, it probably is a dangerous game'
WORK TO DO: Galway manager Micheál Donoghue have work to do ahead of Offaly clash after ruthless Kilkenny defeat. Pic: ©INPHO/Leah Scholes
The reckoning. On Saturday, Galway discovered how far they have to go and what they need to fix. This was a chastening defeat at the hands of Kilkenny. It can be a valuable one too.
Derek Lyng will be content with an awesome burst that came after a sloppy first quarter, while being concerned by injuries to Shane Murphy, Adrian Mullen and David Blanchfield. They led by six at half-time. Goals by Eoin Cody and Mossy Keoghan extended the margin in the second half. Once Kilkenny managed to make ball stick inside, they went to town. Galway couldn’t make that happen all afternoon long.
“It is fair comment,” said Micheál Donoghue post-match.
“The ball didn't stick when it went inside, the Kilkenny defence marshalled that area really well. We didn't create a whole lot in there which was disappointing. We can't reflect on it for too long, we have to move on.”
Of all the stats that will worry Galway, the return from their inside trio will be the main one. Conor Whelan, Brian Concanon and Declan McLoughlin had just four shots between them for two points. Cody had six alone for 1-3 from play while adding another two frees.
Kilkenny’s first goal came from Adrian Mullen in the third minute. Goalkeeper Darach Fahy failed to deal with a dropping ball, Keoghan was denied by a great Fintan Burke block but the rebound was unstoppable. A crowd of 8,243 at UPMC Nowlan Park watched the home side continually force turnovers.
“I think when you're trying to play that way, it probably is a dangerous game sometimes. When you're turned over, you can get punished. That is what happened to us a few times today.
“Some of the time it was of our own making. When you get turned over in those areas, Kilkenny were ruthless in their finishing and got some good goals.”
RTÉ Man of the Match went to Mikey Carey. There were several leading contenders. Jordan Molloy was immense in midfield. The championship debut for Kerry native Fionán Mackessy could not have gone better. He started with a routine 65, added two more from play and a monster free.
The Leinster kingpins showed Galway where they need to go. The platform was laid for their front six who all scored from play. Padraic Mannion was eventually moved to full-back with Burke coming out field in a futile firefighting exercise. Stephen Donnelly replaced the injured Mullen early on and also clipped two points.
“The forwards just made it easy for us,” said Carey. “They held the ball as much as they could and slowed the ball coming out. Trying to get good ball into them is the thing, it is tough when you are under so much pressure out the field but when you hit it into the boys, it just sticks. That is what makes the difference.”
Kilkenny travel to Corrigan Park next to take on Antrim. “That is going to be a very, very tough battle up there. We were focused on this match, now it is time to reset and recover,” said Carey. Manager Derek Lyng did confirm TJ Reid missed out with a slight calf strain but it was “nothing too serious.”
Donoghue’s Galway are in Tullamore where they will face Offaly. They are now without a victory against the black and amber in five championship meetings. The new managerial appointment is yet to generate any clear excitement. A four-year term always suggested this was a long-term project. Saturday showed why.
: E. Cody 1-5 (2 free); M. Keoghan 1-2; F. Mackessy 0-4 (1 65, 1 free); A. Mullen 1-0, J. Molloy 0-3; B. Ryan, C. Kenny, M. Carey, S. Donnelly 0-2 each; L. Hogan, J. Donnelly 0-1 each.
: C. Mannion 0-10 (6 frees); C. Fahy, J. Fleming, C. Cooney 0-2 each; T. Killeen, D. McLoughlin, C. Whelan, T. Brennan, G. Lee 0-1 each.
: D. Fahy; J. Grealish, F. Burke, D. Morrissey; P. Mannion, G. Lee, TJ. Brennan; C. Fahy, T. Monaghan; J. Fleming, C. Mannion, T. Killeen; C. Whelan, B. Concannon, D. McLoughlin.
: C. Cooney for McLoughlin, R. Glennon for Monaghan (both 48), R. Burke for Killeen (53), D. Burke for Fleming (60), A. Burns for Brennan (64).
E. Murphy; M. Butler, H. Lawlor, S. Murphy; M. Carey, R. Reid, P. Deegan; C. Kenny, J. Molloy; A. Mullen, J. Donnelly, F. Mackessy; B. Ryan, M. Keoghan, E. Cody.
S. Donnelly for Mullen (17 – Inj), D. Blanchfield for Murphy (22 – Inj), T. Walsh for Blanchfield (61), H. Shine for J. Donnelly (63), L. Hogan for Ryan (66).
S. Stack (Dublin).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
